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Barros ALAN, Hamed A, Marani M, Moreira DC, Eaton P, Plácido A, Kato MJ, Leite JRSA. The Arsenal of Bioactive Molecules in the Skin Secretion of Urodele Amphibians. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:810821. [PMID: 35095522 PMCID: PMC8795703 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.810821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Urodele amphibians (∼768 spp.), salamanders and newts, are a rich source of molecules with bioactive properties, especially those isolated from their skin secretions. These include pharmacological attributes, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, vasoactive, immune system modulation, and dermal wound healing activities. Considering the high demand for new compounds to guide the discovery of new drugs to treat conventional and novel diseases, this review summarizes the characteristics of molecules identified in the skin of urodele amphibians. We describe urodele-derived peptides and alkaloids, with emphasis on their biological activities, which can be considered new scaffolds for the pharmaceutical industry. Although much more attention has been given to anurans, bioactive molecules produced by urodeles have the potential to be used for biotechnological purposes and stand as viable alternatives for the development of therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana L A N Barros
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Tropical, PPGMT, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, NMT, Faculdade de Medicina, UnB, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Abdelaaty Hamed
- Instituto de Química, IQ, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Nasr City-Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mariela Marani
- IPEEC-CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Daniel C Moreira
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil
| | - Peter Eaton
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Joseph Banks Laboratories, The Bridge, School of Chemistry, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Plácido
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Bioprospectum, Lda, UPTEC, Porto, Portugal
| | - Massuo J Kato
- Instituto de Química, IQ, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - José Roberto S A Leite
- Núcleo de Pesquisa em Morfologia e Imunologia Aplicada, NuPMIA, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-graduação em Medicina Tropical, PPGMT, Núcleo de Medicina Tropical, NMT, Faculdade de Medicina, UnB, Brasília, Brazil.,Bioprospectum, Lda, UPTEC, Porto, Portugal
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2
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Mauricio B, Mailho-Fontana PL, Sato LA, Barbosa FF, Astray RM, Kupfer A, Brodie ED, Jared C, Antoniazzi MM. Morphology of the Cutaneous Poison and Mucous Glands in Amphibians with Particular Emphasis on Caecilians ( Siphonops annulatus). Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13110779. [PMID: 34822563 PMCID: PMC8617868 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13110779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Caecilians (order Gymnophiona) are apodan, snake-like amphibians, usually with fossorial habits, constituting one of the most unknown groups of terrestrial vertebrates. As in orders Anura (frogs, tree frogs and toads) and Caudata (salamanders and newts), the caecilian skin is rich in mucous glands, responsible for body lubrication, and poison glands, producing varied toxins used in defence against predators and microorganisms. Whereas in anurans and caudatans skin gland morphology has been well studied, caecilian poison glands remain poorly elucidated. Here we characterised the skin gland morphology of the caecilian Siphonops annulatus, emphasising the poison glands in comparison to those of anurans and salamanders. We showed that S. annulatus glands are similar to those of salamanders, consisting of several syncytial compartments full of granules composed of protein material but showing some differentiated apical compartments containing mucus. An unusual structure resembling a mucous gland is frequently observed in lateral/apical position, apparently connected to the main duct. We conclude that the morphology of skin poison glands in caecilians is more similar to salamander glands when compared to anuran glands that show a much-simplified structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Mauricio
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05509-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (P.L.M.-F.); (L.A.S.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Pedro Luiz Mailho-Fontana
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05509-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (P.L.M.-F.); (L.A.S.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Luciana Almeida Sato
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05509-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (P.L.M.-F.); (L.A.S.); (M.M.A.)
| | - Flavia Ferreira Barbosa
- Multipurpose Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (R.M.A.)
| | - Renato Mancini Astray
- Multipurpose Laboratory, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-000, Brazil; (F.F.B.); (R.M.A.)
| | - Alexander Kupfer
- Department of Zoology, State Museum of Natural History, 70191 Stuttgart, Germany;
| | - Edmund D. Brodie
- Department of Biology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322, USA;
| | - Carlos Jared
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05509-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (P.L.M.-F.); (L.A.S.); (M.M.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marta Maria Antoniazzi
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05509-000, Brazil; (B.M.); (P.L.M.-F.); (L.A.S.); (M.M.A.)
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3
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Arun D, Sandhya S, Akbarsha MA, Oommen OV, Divya L. An insight into the skin glands, dermal scales and secretions of the caecilian amphibian Ichthyophis beddomei. Saudi J Biol Sci 2020; 27:2683-2690. [PMID: 32994727 PMCID: PMC7499274 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2020.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The caecilian amphibians are richly endowed with cutaneous glands, which produce secretory materials that facilitate survival in the hostile subterranean environment. Although India has a fairly abundant distribution of caecilians, there are only very few studies on their skin and secretion. In this background, the skin of Ichthyophis beddomei from the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, was subjected to light and electron microscopic analyses. There are two types of dermal glands, mucous and granular. The mucous gland has a lumen, which is packed with a mucous. The mucous-producing cells are located around the lumen. In the granular gland, a lumen is absent; the bloated secretory cells, filling the gland, are densely packed with granules of different sizes which are elegantly revealed in TEM. There is a lining of myo-epithelial cells in the peripheral regions of the glands. Small flat disk-like dermal scales, dense with squamulae, are embedded in pockets in the dermis, distributed among the cutaneous glands. 1-4 scales of various sizes are present in each scale pocket. Scanning electron microscopic observation of the skin surface revealed numerous glandular openings. The skin gland secretions, exuded through the pores, contain fatty acids, alcohols, steroid, hydrocarbons, terpene, aldehyde and a few unknown compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damodaran Arun
- Department of Zoology, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
| | | | | | - Oommen V. Oommen
- Department of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Lekha Divya
- Department of Zoology, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
- Corresponding author at: Department of Zoology, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India.
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Zamora-Camacho FJ, Comas M, Moreno-Rueda G. Immune challenge does not impair short-distance escape speed in a newt. Anim Behav 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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5
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O´donohoe MEA, Luna MC, Regueira E, Brunetti AE, Basso NG, Lynch JD, Pereyra MO, Hermida GN. Diversity and evolution of the parotoid macrogland in true toads (Anura: Bufonidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zlz027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Skin glands in amphibians are either distributed throughout the skin or aggregated in multiglandular structures such as the parotoids typical of most species of Bufonidae. Although many early divergent and derived bufonids lack a discrete parotoid in the postorbital–supratympanic (PoSt) region, they have a great macroscopic diversity in the skin morphology of this region. To understand the origin and evolution of this diversity, in particular of the parotoids, we describe the histomorphology of the skin of the PoSt and dorsal regions in 17 species of bufonids, with or without external evident parotoid, and compare it with previously published descriptions. The survey results in 27 characters that were optimized on a phylogenetic hypothesis of Bufonidae. Our results reveal that the PoSt region has a noteworthy morphological diversity of types of glands, spatial organization and differences in the secretion products. Some morphological characters represent putative synapomorphies of internal clades of Bufonidae and are related to the progressive differentiation towards defined structures (macroglands, parotoids). These morphological results, along with published information on the toxicity of the skin secretions and defensive behaviours in some representative species, allow us to infer possible relationships between these features.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Ailin O´donohoe
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Piso. (C1428EGA), CABA, Argentina
| | - María Celeste Luna
- División Herpetología. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’-CONICET., CABA, Argentina
| | - Eleonora Regueira
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Piso. (C1428EGA), CABA, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andres E Brunetti
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Nestor G Basso
- Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral (IDEAus-CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Chubut, Argentina
| | - John D Lynch
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martín O Pereyra
- División Herpetología. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’-CONICET., CABA, Argentina
| | - Gladys N Hermida
- Laboratorio Biología de Anfibios. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Piso. (C1428EGA), CABA, Argentina
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Pereira KE, Crother BI, Sever DM, Fontenot CL, Pojman JA, Wilburn DB, Woodley SK. Skin glands of an aquatic salamander vary in size and distribution and release antimicrobial secretions effective against chytrid fungal pathogens. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.183707. [PMID: 29880633 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.183707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Amphibian skin is unique among vertebrate classes, containing a large number of multicellular exocrine glands that vary among species and have diverse functions. The secretions of skin glands contain a rich array of bioactive compounds including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Such compounds are important for amphibian innate immune responses and may protect some species from chytridiomycosis, a lethal skin disease caused by the fungal pathogens Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) and Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). While the bioactivity of skin secretions against Bd has been assessed for many amphibian taxa, similar studies are lacking for Bsal, a chytrid fungus that is especially pathogenic for salamanders. We studied the skin glands and their potential functions in an aquatic salamander, the three-toed amphiuma (Amphiuma tridactylum). Skin secretions of captive adult salamanders were analyzed by RP-HPLC and tested against the growth of Bd and Bsal using in vitro assays. We found that compounds within collected skin secretions were similar between male and female salamanders and inhibited the growth of Bd and Bsal. Thus, skin secretions that protect against Bd may also provide protection against Bsal. Histological examination of the skin glands of preserved salamanders revealed the presence of enlarged granular glands concentrated within caudal body regions. A site of potential gland specialization was identified at the tail base and may indicate specialized granular glands related to courtship and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenzie E Pereira
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA .,Department of Biology, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402, USA
| | - Brian I Crother
- Department of Biology, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402, USA
| | - David M Sever
- Department of Biology, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402, USA
| | - Clifford L Fontenot
- Department of Biology, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, LA 70402, USA
| | - John A Pojman
- Department of Chemistry, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Damien B Wilburn
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sarah K Woodley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
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7
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Wanninger M, Schwaha T, Heiss E. Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2018; 4:15. [PMID: 29942644 PMCID: PMC5998448 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-018-0095-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amphibians have evolved a remarkable diversity of defensive mechanisms against predators. One of the most conspicuous components in their defense is related to their ability to produce and store a high variety of bioactive (noxious to poisonous) substances in specialized skin glands. Previous studies have shown that T. verrucosus is poisonous with the potential to truly harm or even kill would-be predators by the effect of its toxic skin secretions. However, little is known on form and function of the skin glands responsible for production and release of these secretions. RESULTS By using light- and scanning electron microscopy along with confocal laser scanning microscopy, we show that T. verrucosus exhibits three different multicellular skin glands: one mucous- and two granular glands. While mucous glands are responsible for the production of the slippery mucus, granular glands are considered the production site of toxins. The first type of granular glands (GG1) is found throughout the skin, though its average size can vary between body regions. The second type of granular glands (GG2) can reach larger dimensions compared with the former type and is restricted to the tail region. Despite their different morphology, all three skin gland types are enwrapped by a distinct myoepithelial sheath that is more prominently developed in the granular (i.e. poison-) glands compared to the mucous glands. The myoepithelial sheath consists of one layer of regularly arranged slender myoepithelial cells that run from the gland pore to the basal gland pole. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the skin in the Himalayan newt T. verrucosus displays one mucus- and two poison gland types enwrapped by a myoepithelial sheath. Contraction of the myoepithelium squeezes the glands and glandular content is released upon the skin surface where the secretion can deploy its defensive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marion Wanninger
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstr, 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Schwaha
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstr, 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Egon Heiss
- Institute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena, Erbertstr. 1, 07743 Jena, Germany
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8
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Dawley EM. Comparative Morphology of Plethodontid Olfactory and Vomeronasal Organs: How Snouts Are Packed. HERPETOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpmonographs-d-15-00008.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M. Dawley
- Department of Biology, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA 19426, USA
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9
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von Byern J, Mebs D, Heiss E, Dicke U, Wetjen O, Bakkegard K, Grunwald I, Wolbank S, Mühleder S, Gugerell A, Fuchs H, Nürnberger S. Salamanders on the bench – A biocompatibility study of salamander skin secretions in cell cultures. Toxicon 2017; 135:24-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2017.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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von Byern J, Grunwald I, Kosok M, Saporito RA, Dicke U, Wetjen O, Thiel K, Borcherding K, Kowalik T, Marchetti-Deschmann M. Chemical characterization of the adhesive secretions of the salamander Plethodon shermani (Caudata, Plethodontidae). Sci Rep 2017; 7:6647. [PMID: 28751633 PMCID: PMC5532285 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 05/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Salamanders have developed a wide variety of antipredator mechanisms, including tail autotomy, colour patterns, and noxious skin secretions. As an addition to these tactics, the red-legged salamander (Plethodon shermani) uses adhesive secretions as part of its defensive strategy. The high bonding strength, the fast-curing nature, and the composition of the biobased materials makes salamander adhesives interesting for practical applications in the medical sector. To understand the adhesive secretions of P. shermani, its components were chemically analysed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), amino acid analysis, and spectroscopy (ATR-IR, Raman). In addition, proteins were separated by gel-electrophoresis and selected spots were characterised by peptide mass fingerprinting. The salamander secretion contains a high amount of water and predominantly proteins (around 77% in the dry stage). The gel-electrophoresis and peptide mass fingerprint analyses revealed a de novo set of peptides/proteins, largely with a pI between 5.0 and 8.0 and a molecular mass distribution between 10 and 170 kDa. Only low homologies with other proteins present in known databases could be identified. The results indicate that the secretions of the salamander Plethodon clearly differ chemically from those shown for other glue-producing terrestrial or marine species and thus represent a unique glue system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janek von Byern
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Donaueschingenstrasse 13, 1200, Vienna, Austria
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research, Althanstrasse 14, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ingo Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Adhesives and Polymer Chemistry, Wiener Straße 12, 28359, Bremen, Germany.
| | - Max Kosok
- Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Karlsplatz 13, 1040, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ralph A Saporito
- John Carroll University, Department of Biology, University Heights, Ohio, 44118, USA
| | - Ursula Dicke
- University of Bremen, Brain Research Institute, Department of Behavioral Physiology, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Oliver Wetjen
- University of Bremen, Brain Research Institute, Department of Behavioral Physiology, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Karsten Thiel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Adhesives and Polymer Chemistry, Wiener Straße 12, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Kai Borcherding
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Adhesives and Polymer Chemistry, Wiener Straße 12, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Thomas Kowalik
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Adhesives and Polymer Chemistry, Wiener Straße 12, 28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Martina Marchetti-Deschmann
- Vienna University of Technology, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Karlsplatz 13, 1040, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Sever DM. Ultrastructure of the mental gland of the Red-Backed Salamander,Plethodon cinereus(Amphibia: Plethodontidae). ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Sever
- Department of Biological Sciences; Southeastern Louisiana University; Hammond LA 70402 USA
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12
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von Byern J, Dicke U, Heiss E, Grunwald I, Gorb S, Staedler Y, Cyran N. Morphological characterization of the glandular system in the salamander Plethodon shermani (Caudata, Plethodontidae). ZOOLOGY 2015; 118:334-47. [PMID: 26163863 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2014] [Revised: 02/22/2015] [Accepted: 04/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Amphibians have evolved a wide variety of mechanisms that provide a certain degree of protection against predators, including camouflage, tail autonomy, encounter behavior and noxious or toxic skin secretions. In addition to these strategies, some amphibians release a glue-like secretion onto the surface of their skin when threatened. While some information regarding the origin and production of these adhesive secretions is available for frogs such as Notaden bennetti, these aspects are only partially understood in salamanders. We contribute to an earlier study and provide additional information regarding the origin, production, and characterization of the adhesive secretion in the red-legged salamander (Plethodon shermani) at a microanatomical level. When stressed, this salamander secretes a milky, viscous liquid from its dorsal and ventral skin. This secretion is extremely adhesive and hardens within seconds upon exposure to air. This study describes two cutaneous gland types (mucous and granular) in the dorsal and ventral epithelial tissue that differ considerably in their secretory content. While the smaller mucous glands contains flocculent to granular material, mostly acidic glycoproteins, the granular glands synthesize various granules of differing size and density that consist of basic proteinaceous material. The results strongly indicate that the secretions of both gland types from the dorsal as well as the ventral side form the adhesive mucus in Plethodon shermani, consisting of basic and acidic glycoproteins, glycoconjugates with mannose and α-L-fucose residues as well as lipid components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janek von Byern
- Center for Integrative Bioinformatics Vienna, Max F. Perutz Laboratories, Dr. Bohr Gasse 9, A-1030 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Donaueschingenstraße 13, A-1200 Vienna, Austria.
| | - Ursula Dicke
- Brain Research Institute, Department of Behavioral Physiology, University of Bremen, D-28334 Bremen, Germany
| | - Egon Heiss
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria; Universiteit Antwerpen, Department of Biology, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Ingo Grunwald
- Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), Wiener Straße 12, D-28359 Bremen, Germany
| | - Stanislav Gorb
- Zoological Institute: Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Christian Albrechts University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 9, D-24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Yannick Staedler
- Division of Structural and Functional Botany, Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research, University of Vienna, Rennweg 14, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Norbert Cyran
- Core Facility Cell Imaging & Ultrastructure Research, Faculty of Life Science, University of Vienna, Althanstraße 14, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
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Abstract
We provide in this chapter a brief overview of the present knowledge about social memory in laboratory rodents with a focus on mice and rats. We discuss in the first part the relevance of the processing of olfactory cues for social recognition in these animals and present information about the brain areas involved in the generation of a long-term social memory including cellular mechanisms thought to underlie memory consolidation. In the second part, we suggest that sensory modalities beyond olfaction may also be important in contributing to the long-term social memory trace including audition and taction (and vision). The exposure to stimuli activating the auditory system and taction is able to produce interference phenomena at defined time points during the consolidation of social memory. This ability of such-nonsocial-stimuli may provide a new approach to dissect the brain processes underlying the generation of the social memory trace in further studies.
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14
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Newts with superpowers. Lab Anim (NY) 2014; 43:231. [DOI: 10.1038/laban.575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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15
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Gosavi SM, Gaikwad PS, Gramapurohit NP, Kumar AR. Occurrence of parotoid glands in tadpoles of the tropical frog, Clinotarsus curtipes and their role in predator deterrence. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2014; 170:31-7. [PMID: 24468740 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2013] [Revised: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Tadpoles of the tropical bicolored frog, Clinotarsus curtipes are unique in having parotoid glands secreting a white viscous fluid and are structurally similar to granular glands from other amphibians. To ascertain the involvement of these glands and their secretion in predator deterrence, it was tested against a predatory fish, Clarias gariepinus, using a paired choice behavioral assay. The results showed that the fish avoid eating C. curtipes tadpoles when paired with tadpoles of a sympatric species, Sylvirana temporalis. While the fish fed on C. curtipes tadpoles whose parotoid glands were surgically removed, did not touch those with intact glands, suggesting a role for the parotoid gland secretion in predator deterrence. Histochemical and biochemical analyses of the gland secretion revealed the presence of high concentrations of proteins, lipids, and alkaloids. SDS-PAGE showed the presence of proteins with prominent bands at 17 and 50kDa. The presence of other small molecules (950-2000amu) as detected by LC-MS showed the presence of five major peaks. Peaks 1 and 2 are probably tetrodotoxin and/or its analogs. Peaks 3 and 5 are possibly bufalin and argininosuccinic acid, respectively while peak 4 remains unidentified. Thus, secretion of parotoid glands of larval C. curtipes contains chemicals which, either alone or in combination, might be responsible for deterring predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin M Gosavi
- Department of Zoology, University of Pune, Pune 411007, India.
| | - Prashant S Gaikwad
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune 411007, India.
| | | | - Ameeta Ravi Kumar
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, University of Pune, Pune 411007, India.
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Rehorek SJ, Grand-Pierre AE, Cummings JR, Jewell B, Constantine J, Hillenius WJ. A re-examination and re-evaluation of salamander orbital glands. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2013; 296:1789-96. [PMID: 24106029 DOI: 10.1002/ar.22782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2013] [Revised: 05/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The amphibian integument contains numerous multicellular glands. Although two of these, the nasolabial and orbital glands and the associated nasolacrimal duct (NLD), have historically received considerable attention, interpretation of the original observations can be problematic in the context of current literature. Salamanders, in particular, are frequently regarded as at least indicative of aspects of the morphology of the common ancestor to all extant tetrapods; hence, an understanding of these glands in salamanders might prove to be informative about their evolution. For this study, the orbitonasal region of salamanders from three families was histologically examined. Three themes emerged: (1) examination of the effect of phylogeny on the nasolabial gland and NLD revealed a combination of features that may be unique to plethodontid salamanders, and may be correlated to their nose-tapping behavior by which substances are moved into the vomeronasal organ; (2) ecology appears to impact the relative development of the orbital glands, but not necessarily the nasolabial gland, with smaller glands being present in the aquatic species; (3) the nomenclature of the salamander orbital gland remains problematic, especially in light of comparative studies, as several alternate possibilities are viable. From this nomenclatural conundrum, however, it could be concluded that there may be a global pattern in the location of tetrapod orbital gland development. Molecular questions in terms of ontogeny and genetic homology affect the nature of the debate on orbital gland nomenclature. These observations suggest that rather than reflecting an ancestral condition, salamanders may instead represent a case of specialized, convergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Rehorek
- Department of Biology, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania
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Mashreghi M, Rezazade Bazaz M, Mahdavi Shahri N, Asoodeh A, Mashreghi M, Behnam Rassouli M, Golmohammadzadeh S. Topical effects of frog "Rana ridibunda" skin secretions on wound healing and reduction of wound microbial load. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2013; 145:793-797. [PMID: 23261484 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2012] [Revised: 12/05/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Study of the interrelationships between human and the animals in their environment has always been a subject of interest and caused discoveries of the animal applications in medicine. From the latest century, these remedies called back in traditional medicine of Vietnam and South America and frog skin was used as a biological dressing and had good effects in healing wounds. Also, frog skin secretions have wound healing properties and reduce inflammation. In this study we applied these secretions in the form of ointment to investigate their healing activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS Skin secretions were extracted from Rana ridibunda to evaluate their effects on wound healing in mice. Secretion used as raw extract (RE) and ultrafiltrated extract, using a membrane with cutoff 10kDa as under 10kDa (U10E), was administrated as ointment every 48h on wound site. Control group was left without any treatment and also there was other group treated with ointment (O group) alone. On 2, 4 and 6 days post injury, animals were euthanized and images were taken for wound closure evaluation. Then wound locations were removed for histological assays. Also wound microbial load was examined. Observational parameters including wound closure and wound microbiology in experimental groups compared with the control and O groups have been studied. RESULTS The results showed U10E group has better effects than RE, O and control groups. Histological parameters, including numbers of inflammatory and fibroblast cells and amount of collagen fibers, neovascularization, as well, represented greater degree of wound healing in U10E group compared with RE, O, and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results showed that frog skin secretions were significantly effective in promoting wound healing process. The U10E extract from the frog R. ridibunda possesses a potent accelerating wound healing effect that promises good potential for clinical application in wound care. Further studies will be required to characterize special molecules encompassing healing properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mashreghi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
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Lintner M, Weissenbacher A, Heiss E. The oropharyngeal morphology in the semiaquatic giant Asian pond turtle, Heosemys grandis, and its evolutionary implications. PLoS One 2012; 7:e46344. [PMID: 23029486 PMCID: PMC3460852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The oropharynx as a functional entity plays a fundamental role in feeding. Transitions from aquatic to terrestrial lifestyles in vertebrates demanded major changes of the oropharynx for the required adaptations to a different feeding environment. Extant turtles evolved terrestrial feeding modes in three families (testudinids, emydids, geoemydids)-independently from other amniotes-and are therefore important model organisms to reconstruct morpho-functional changes behind aquatic-terrestrial transitions. In this study we hypothesized that the oropharyngeal morphology in semiaquatic turtles of the geoemydid family shows parallels to testudinids, the only purely terrestrial extant lineage. We provide an in-depth description of the oropharynx in the semiaquatic geoemydid Heosemys grandis by using a combination of micro computed tomography (micro-CT) and subsequent digital in situ 3-D reconstruction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and histology. We show that H. grandis has a large tongue with rough papillose surface and well-developed lingual muscles. The attachment sites of the lingual muscles on the hyolingual skeleton and their courses within the tongue are nearly identical with testudinids. The hyolingual skeleton itself is mainly cartilaginous and shows distinct-but compared to testudinids rather small-anterior extensions of the hyoid body and hypoglossum. Oral glands are well developed in H. grandis but are smaller and simpler than in testudinids. Similarly, oropharyngeal keratinization was minimal and found only in the anterior palate, regions close to the beak, and tongue tip. We conclude that H. grandis shows distinct oropharyngeal morpho-functional adaptations for a terrestrial lifestyle but still retains characters typical for aquatic forms. This makes this species an important example showing the oropharyngeal adaptations behind aquatic-terrestrial transitions in turtles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Lintner
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Egon Heiss
- Department of Integrative Zoology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
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Brunetti AE, Hermida GN, Faivovich J. New insights into sexually dimorphic skin glands of anurans: the structure and ultrastructure of the mental and lateral glands in Hypsiboas punctatus (Amphibia: Anura: Hylidae). J Morphol 2012; 273:1257-71. [PMID: 22806994 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2011] [Revised: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 05/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Many anuran species are characterized by sexually dimorphic skin glands. These glands often are concentrated on specific areas, such as the mental region, flanks, or the nuptial pads. We studied the histology and histochemistry of mental and lateral glands in Hypsiboas punctatus, and compared them to skin from other body regions. We describe four types of dermal glands, two types of mucous and two types of serous glands. The mucous glands are formed by a single layered epithelium. The mucocytes surrounding a central lumen are filled with polyhedral granules. Ordinary mucous glands are small sized glands with cubical epithelium, mucoid content, and small granules. Specialized mucous glands are characterized by a larger size, a columnar epithelium, a proteinaceous content and larger granules. Both types of serous glands are syncytial and share some structural features including size, shape, and morphology of secretory granules. However, ordinary and specialized serous glands differ in their histochemical properties, size and appearance of secretory granules, and glandular outlets. The specialized type of mucous glands in H. punctatus resembles most SDSGs described in anurans, whereas the presence of specialized serous glands that are sexually dimorphic is less common. Both specialized glands occur only in mental and lateral regions of males, whereas ordinary mucous and ordinary serous glands occur in males and females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés E Brunetti
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia-CONICET, Ángel Gallardo 470, C1405 DJR, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Heiss E, Natchev N, Schwaha T, Salaberger D, Lemell P, Beisser C, Weisgram J. Oropharyngeal morphology in the basal tortoise Manouria emys emys with comments on form and function of the testudinid tongue. J Morphol 2011; 272:1217-29. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2010] [Revised: 03/17/2011] [Accepted: 03/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Ryczko D, Charrier V, Ijspeert A, Cabelguen JM. Segmental oscillators in axial motor circuits of the salamander: distribution and bursting mechanisms. J Neurophysiol 2010; 104:2677-92. [PMID: 20810687 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00479.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The rhythmic and coordinated activation of axial muscles that underlie trunk movements during locomotion are generated by specialized networks in the spinal cord. The operation of these networks has been extensively investigated in limbless swimming vertebrates. But little is known about the architecture and functioning of the axial locomotor networks in limbed vertebrates. We investigated the rhythm-generating capacity of the axial segmental networks in the salamander (Pleurodeles waltlii). We recorded ventral root activity from hemisegments and segments that were surgically isolated from the mid-trunk cord and chemically activated with bath-applied N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). We provide evidence that the rhythmogenic capacity of the axial network is distributed along the mid-trunk spinal cord without an excitability gradient. We demonstrate that the burst generation in a hemisegment depends on glutamatergic excitatory interactions. Reciprocal glycinergic inhibition between opposite hemisegments ensures left-right alternation and lowers the rhythm frequency in segments. Our results further suggest that persistent sodium current contributes to the rhythmic regenerating process both in hemisegments and segments. Burst termination in hemisegments is not achieved through the activation of apamine-sensitive Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channels and burst termination in segments relies on crossed glycinergic inhibition. Together our results indicate that the basic design of the salamander axial network is similar to most of axial networks investigated in other vertebrates, albeit with some significant differences in the cellular mechanism that underlies segmental bursting. This finding supports the view of a phylogenetic conservation of basic building blocks of the axial locomotor network among the vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Ryczko
- Pathophysiology of Spinal Networks, Neurocentre Magendie, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U 862, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux Cedex, France
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Heiss E, Natchev N, Salaberger D, Gumpenberger M, Rabanser A, Weisgram J. Hurt yourself to hurt your enemy: new insights on the function of the bizarre antipredator mechanism in the salamandridPleurodeles waltl. J Zool (1987) 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.2009.00631.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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